News and Events

Speedy Morris to Be Inducted Into Big Five Hall of Fame

PHILADELPHIA – Roxborough resident Bill "Speedy" Morris, head basketball coach at St. Joseph's Prep, has been selected for induction into the Philadelphia Big Five Hall of Fame. Morris, who coached at La Salle University for 17 years, will be part of the Hall's 2010 Class.

Morris—who is also one of the most renown high school coaches in the country after championship stints at Roman Catholic, Penn Charter and the Prep—had a very successful tenure at La Salle, beginning in 1984 when he was hired as the first full-time coach of the women's basketball team. Right away, he made a difference, leading the Explorers to a 22-8 record, which doubled the team's win total from the year before, the biggest turnaround in the NCAA that year. The next year, the Explorers won the MAAC Conference title and made the NCAA tournament for the first time.

In 1986, Morris took the reins of the men's team, the first time that any coach had gone from coaching women to men. In his first year, the Explorers made the NIT Finals, the first of six postseason berths for La Salle, including three straight NCAA tournaments from 1988-90. The six postseason berths are tied for most in school history.

Morris holds several other marks at LaSalle. His 239 wins are most in school history and his .710 winning percentage are the most for any women's coach. The team made the NCAA tournament four times, most in school history, and won eight in-season tournament championships.

Overall, Morris is 853-365 (including high school and college). He is the winningest coach in St. Joseph's Prep history with a 183-50 record and two Catholic League titles. At Roman he was 347-82 with six league titles and he was 41-14 in two seasons at Penn Charter where he also won a league title.

 

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